micrometer

¹

[ mahy-krom-i-ter ]

noun

1. any of various devices for measuring minute distances, angles, etc., as in connection with a telescope or microscope.
2. Also called mike.. a precision instrument with a spindle moved by a finely threaded screw, for the measurement of thicknesses and short lengths, commonly used by machinists for turning shafts or boring holes.

micrometer

²

[ mahy-kroh-mee-ter ]

noun

1. micron ( def 1 ).

micrometer

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈmɛtrɪk; maɪˈkrɒmɪtə /

noun

1. any of various instruments or devices for the accurate measurement of distances or angles
2. Also calledmicrometer gaugemicrometer calliper a type of gauge for the accurate measurement of small distances, thicknesses, diameters, etc. The gap between its measuring faces is adjusted by a fine screw, the rotation of the screw giving a sensitive measure of the distance moved by the face

micrometer

¹

/ mī′krō-mē′tər /

1. A unit of length in the metric system equal to one millionth (10 ^-6) of a meter.
2. Also called micron

micrometer

²

/ mī-krŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. A device for measuring very small distances, angles, or objects, especially one based on the rotation of a finely threaded screw, as in relation to a microscope.

Derived Forms

• miˈcrometry, noun
• micrometric, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of micrometer¹

First recorded in 1660–70; micro- + -meter

Origin of micrometer²

micro- + meter ¹

Example Sentences

These bursts could propel grains with diameters from 20 micrometers to 1 centimeter in size, the team estimates.

From Science News

Last year, the Human Brain Project released a 3D digital map that integrates different aspects of human brain organization at the millimeter and micrometer level.

From MIT Technology Review

These nanoparticles help the underpinnings of the teeth vary in hardness and stiffness by at least a factor of two over distances of just several hundred micrometers — a few times the average width of a human hair.

From Science News

That’s enough resolution to recognize biologically assembled clumps of molecules, but not sufficient to see fossils of actual microbial bodies, which might be as small as a single micrometer.

From Popular-Science

The new process also only achieved a CNT density of about 45 CNTs per micrometer, which is still significantly below the optimum of 200 predicted by previous research.

From Singularity Hub 

A one-half inch eye-piece, a micrometer eye-piece, and an attachable mechanical stage are very useful additions.

From Project Gutenberg

Focus the scale of each micrometer accurately, and make the lines on them parallel.

From Project Gutenberg

Place a stage micrometer divided into hundredths of a millimetre on the microscope stage and focus accurately.

From Project Gutenberg

Rotate the head of the micrometer screw until the movable line has transversed one division of the stage micrometer.

From Project Gutenberg

Note the optical combination employed in this experiment and record it with the calculated micrometer value.

From Project Gutenberg